This City in Oregon is Set to Become a ‘GMO-Free’ Zone
The state of Vermont recently experienced an enormous victory over biotech corruption when their legislators chose to uphold a mandatory GMO labeling bill, but Benton County Oregon might soon one-up that mighty action by becoming a GMO-free zone.
Ballots were mailed to Benton County residents on April 30, and a vote will transpire no late than May 19th, 2015. The new ordinance is an attempt for local residents to take back their food supply. Measure 2-89 would:
- Restores Benton County residents’ right to local decision-making on agriculture.
- Protects natural communities for healthy agriculture.
- Shield farmers from patent-holder lawsuits.
- Preserve Benton County residents’ right to save seeds.
- Prevent non-GMO market losses like that which occurred from GMO wheat contamination.
The Oregon county had more than enough signatures to put the measure on a November 2014 ballot, but they delayed it until this May’s ballot so that voters could rally understand what they were voting on.
Read: Huge – 2 Counties Ban GMOs, Oregon Fights Monsanto and Still Wins
If the measure were to pass not only would biotech be banned from the Oregon county, but Universities could no longer conduct ‘test’ planting of GM crops that often lead to contamination of non-GM crops in the area.
You can be sure that Monsanto, Bayer, Syngenta, Dow, Cargill and the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association will outspend the promoters of the GMO-banning measure, but nothing can beat grass-roots action. Be sure to pass the word to all of Benton County, NO MORE GMOs! This small win for a county would be a wonderful precedent-setting move for the entire country – and that’s why Monsanto will fight it to the end. Don’t let them win!
Banning GMO’s on a local level is a perfect back door to nullify any crony big business federal legislation allowing loopholes for federal labeling laws. In other words, if Washington DC passes a law to appease the masses about labeling, they will insert loopholes that will allow Monsanto and the like to serve up GMO’s and hide behind regulation.
Please Benton County, Please continue to push for banning GMO’s not only for your people’s health but also to reduce cross contamination that companies like Monsanto intentionally contaminate other farmer’s crops as recently came to light in Australia. Please DO NOT STOP fighting these GMO’s. This is our food. This is our health. This is our Future.
So now Vermont and Benton County, OR are GMO free. How come Hawaii wasn’t as lucky and got a judge who wouldn’t vote for what the people want? Hopefully more great singers like Neil Young will keep writing song and albums against Monsanto.
If this doesn’t pass, you’ll know the fix was in!
I found out earlier, The Chipotle restaurant is not yet 100% non-GMO yet, because they are getting their meat products that is still has GMO feeds in them. Also,Have you guys made a report about Omaha steak and burger? I want to know about the Omaha steak brand, are they GMO free or they still feeding their livestock with GMO feeds?
Feeding a cow GM feed does not make the beef GM. That’s just pure ignorance.
Are you insane? What research have you done to prove this ludicrous statement? Have you ever heard “you are what you eat” Why is it when you eat a vegetable you get all the nutrients that are in it yet a cow fed GMO foods is exempt from that same principle? Grow up and get a brain and do the research before you open your mouth! Follow the money…. who’s to benefit from believing that GMO’S are good for you? Monsanto or the general public? Why is it other countries have BANNED GMO’S SAYING THEY CAUSE CANCER!? Talk about ignorance…. holy crap!
What research have you done to prove this ludicrous statement?
I have a PhD in plant biochemistry and specialize in molecular biology. I have published research and have done a lot of work with transgenetics. Does that count?
What about you? What background do you have that qualifies you to make pronouncements about GMOs?
Have you ever heard “you are what you eat”
Yes. Do you know what an idiom is? I’m guessing not. That phrase is an idiom. Just like the expression ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ doesn’t actually mean there are animals plummeting to their deaths outside.
Skeptologist, I have read some of your posts. In one post, you state you have a PhD in Plant biology. In more recent posts, you state you have a PhD in Plant Biochemistry. Those are two different branches, although overlapping and obviously related areas, in the life sciences. So what is your doctorate in exactly?
Many of your posts are highly analogous and parallel to the fictional character of sheldon on the Big Bang Theory. While you probably excel in your field (whichever field that may be), do you ever question your own hubris? Do you ever question your own deep seated beliefs? Do you ever question that your expertise in your field compared to the entire realm of science is but ‘a drop in the bucket’ (you’re welcome on the utilization of that idiom). You are obviously well read and have a respectable level of vocabulary – which – in today’s world, is not quite so common in the social vernacular and for that I do give you credit and praise. However, back to the sheldon analogy, sheldon works and thinks and writes in a little office in his self renowned intellectual ivory tower belonging to an insignificant university in this significant big world outside of sheldon’s mental universe. Sheldon rarely questions his own hubris simply because in certain aspects of life, sheldon is smarter than almost anyone he has encountered. However his overconfidence in himself is what makes sheldon unwise and really dumb. Sheldon in some ways is so dumb, the simpleton dumb blonde Penny, actually looks like a genius at times compared to sheldon. She looks like a genius in areas of life sheldon is absolutely clueless. My point is just because you work, think and write in a lab, and have letters behind your name (PhD), some of your posts are actually as clueless as sheldon, meanwhile other commenters replying to your posts make you look like the simpleton dummy – Mr. PhD.
Also, you frequently demand (in the form of requesting) proof from others to prove their points. Regardless of the area of specialty, a truly clever doctor of philosophy wouldn’t demand proof from others, but would bring forth their own proof to the discussion or debate and defend their own position and of course pointing out the weakness in the opposing argument. If the opposing side’s argument is only based on belief without any empiricism or any evidence, their argument will present its own weaknesses and will thus fail. Always saying “show me the proof or studies or data” may aid your own hubris, but it doesnt prove your arguments either. It comes across as “Unless you show me what I want, I am gonna cover my ears with my hands and sing outloud LA LA LA LA LA because I am right and you are wrong – Naa Naa Nu Boo Boo stick your head in doo doo.”
Lastly, assuming you do have a PhD in either Biochemistry or Biology, you should have some knowledge in how big and complex the biochemistry systems are in an organism. The problem with the data and studies you always demand from others, is that those studies are controlled double blind studies usually proving only one variable however sometimes multivariate. In an organism such as a cow or a pig or a human being for that matter, it really is foolish and naive to believe you can do an all knowing study proving or disproving if GMO’s have definitive proof of being absolutely without question harmful and here is your evidence, etc… Unless you can design and implement a study that can with p < 0.05 or lets go to even p < 0.000001 and such absolute certainty of the results that takes into account every single genetic modification ever taken place in all the crops and feed and food. Also the parameters of this study would have to be able to study with the same p < level of certainty every single physiological system in the body such as endocrine, neurological, integumentary, nociception, sensory perception, cognitive, digestive, genito-urinary, reproductive, and every other system in a physiology textbook. Then this study would have to be followed in the short term, near term, and long term. And this study would also have to be performed in a vacuum so no other causes could suspected if the results of the study were one way or another. And to top it all off, this study would have to be done independent of any special grants or corporate interests or ties to eliminate any and all vested biases impacting the results. Once you find out how to design, implement and perform this study, please please please let us all know. Otherwise, a person growing up on the farm empirically witnessing farm animals doing better on NON-GMO food as opposed to GMO feed has more merit in their argument than a hubristic insignificant ivory tower PhD saying they know more than everyone else.
Skeptologist, I forgot one last thing concerning studies, evidence, outcomes, statistics as opposed to the human element of the equation. I had a loved one that had probable cancer but more tests needed to be done to rule other possibilities out. I asked the doctor what every concerned family member asks when presented with cancer diagnosis for a loved one. “If this is that type of cancer, what are the survival rates and statistics?” This doctor was very wise and stopped the conversation and he said “I don’t give patients those statistics. Because let’s hypothetically say only 1 in 10,000 people from this cancer. Boy them numbers sure seem reassuring and hopeful if you are one of the 9,999 people out of 10,000. But if you are that 1 person in 10,000, then all them statistics and studies don’t mean a DAMN thing. Statistics and studies are good for research and high falutin’ champagne socials, but if you are on the wrong side of the statistics fence, then none of them numbers matter anyway.”
So if you actually do come down from your ivory tower, outside of the petri dish, test tubes, bunson burners and any other lab functions you do, consider the human element to your bold statements about there being no difference between GMO and non-GMO in the event your statistics or studies or evidence were flawed or incorrect. We are talking about people’s health and lives.
Thank you for the clarification on biochemistry.
As for the Sheldon analogy, the interesting thing is neither would sheldon see the relevance, but I assure you of the importance of the relevance. Maybe something to deliberate upon.
How many times does an anecdote have to occur for a ‘scientific community’ for the anecdote to be considered bona fide evidence? In other words, does it have to happen 1 time, 10 times, 100 times, 1000 times, 10,000 times, 100,000 times … ‘n times’ in order for it be considered an actual trend and/or evidence?
All due respect but you assuring me that your analogy has relevance isn’t exactly persuasive. If your point is that I may be able to communicate more effectively by adjusting my approach, I can see that though I may not agree. However, with respect to the facts of the matter I still don’t see why personality is relevant. That would seem to stray into ad hominem territory.
The plural of anecdote is not data, no matter how many times it’s reported. You should understand this. Evidence differs from anecdotes based on the manner in which the observations are collected, for example the inclusion of proper controls. I shouldn’t need to explain this to you.
As for me assuring you, in hindsight it was not the best choice of word. I am not trying to persuade you. I am pointing different things out, possibly critiquing. If you choose not to deliberate on possible kernels of wisdom (NON-GMO kernels of course LOL), then by all means, dismiss it. It really is no ‘idiomatic’ skin off my nose.
Yourself is pure ignorant, because grass-fed cattle are much healthier beef than corn-fed cattle, anyone knows it, too.
Show me the evidence that Non-GM feed is better than GM feed. We’re not talking about grass fed versus non-grass fed. That’s a different thing. If “everyone” knows this, then it should be easy for you to show me some evidence. I doubt you will, because I doubt you can. You’re conflating issues and letting you’re emotions substitute for evidence and understanding.
Are you that stupid to know about grass fed cattle is known to to produce healthier and leaner beef? It also produce healthier Omega fatty acids. I’m feel sorry for you that your PhD studies didn’t taught you that in school, right. Also, GMOs contain toxins residues will go into cattle digestive system then it enter to the bloodstreams throughout the body. Then the consumers will end up eating those GMO contaminate meats. That’s common sense there. Corn or grain fed is use to fatten up cattle very quickly and it’s unhealthy for cattle to consume, because it is causing them to feel sick, their digestive system are not design to eat corns or a grains, but only grass. That is why farmers are using Pharmaceutical drugs on these cattle, to help them from getting sick, and increase more beef productions, and that is not natural. That is what going on in commercial and cattle industries. Look it up on info’s of why Grass fed is better and healthier than corn, grain fed cattle or GMOs. It is well known fact! How dare you acting like you know about feeding livestock, but you never been to the farm and work there. I have been on the farm and lived on the farm when I was a school age kid, and know about why the right kind of feeds is very important for these farm animals, and I know what I’m talking about, it is base on knowledgeable experience.
Go back and read my comment again. If you need clarification, ask.
I’ve already read your comment and explained it to you very clearly enough. If you got a problem of understanding what I just explained it you, then you need to go visit Psychiatrist for get a mental evaluation. There is something wrong with you, and you have a mental block, too.
I have a problem with people who lack class. You are such a person.
You are such a person with lack of class, because you going around bashing people’s comment here, and especially to my comment. You need to get help, because you are getting very stupid.
You need to learn some manners.
O.K., you go first. Lol!
I agree with you.
Benton County Oregon might soon one-up that mighty action by becoming a GMO-free zone
Say goodbye to cheese and insulin in Benton County!
And, sadly, also say good bye to the biology department at Oregon State University.
Your first sentence is factually incorrect with regard to what the US District Court ruled in Vermont–not the Vermont legislature–and the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association suit will go to trial.
The Benton county measure will likely get crushed at the polls, and deservedly so. If not, it will get crushed in court. Local jurisdictions can’t pass laws that obliterate patent law, for one. Also, Oregon is a “right to farm” state and the Benton County measure violates that. Feel good all you want, but this silly measure is going down.
Who ever said local jurisdiction will pass laws that obliterate patent law. All that needs to be done is for a local or state legislature to introduce a carefully worded bill that does not conflict with current laws and circumvents jurisdiction issues. For example, however on a completely different subject, I know of a community in my area that didnt want a walmart in that community. They couldnt outright ban Walmart from coming into their community due to other laws. However, the local jurisdiction changed the taxation code for new buildings built over a certain size or sqare footage under commercial conditions, etc… The new taxation code on newly built large sized buildings were so onerous and disincentive to walmart as a business that walmart decided not to build a store in that community. Basically the wording of the new measure was in effect a ban without actually banning anything. While my example dealt with building size to give a desired outcome, and obviously the issue here surrounds GMO’s. But its the method to achieve a desired outcome is what I point out.
So there is more than one way to skin a cat or to introduce a measure the other side views as silly until it hits them from left field and they are blindsided. Even if you are correct about Benton County because they didnt approach it with a sun tzu methodology, there are other counties that will learn from the mistakes made in Benton County. Ahhhh, we got bigger genetically engineered fish to fry.